$25 to $30 million Naples theater would have 900 seats, a gorgeous garden, and the name Pavarotti.

In two years, a new $25–30 million performing arts facility in Naples might open, if all goes according to plan. After Artis-Naples, the 900-seat Theater in the Garden would be the second-largest venue in Collier County.

On Friday, the organizers revealed the suggested location, according to a recent article by Charles Runnells of the Naples Daily News.

Livio Ferrari, director of Theater in the Garden Inc., a not-for-profit organization, stated, “This project is born out of the proven need for another venue to perform in Collier County.”

The proposed venue’s association with the renowned opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, who sadly passed away, serves to enhance his profile.

Nicoletta Pavarotti, the widow of Italian musician Luciano Pavarotti, is interested in the project and intends to turn it into the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation’s American headquarters. In addition to supporting talented young vocalists, the nonprofit organization hosts international events to honor the legacy of the late opera singer.

She claimed that famed Pavarotti’s husband, who passed away in 2007, never went to Naples. However, he began his American opera career close by, on the east coast of Florida.

“Florida opened the door for his American career when he performed in Miami in 1965,” Nicoletta Pavarotti stated. So when Livio presented his proposal to us, we found it intriguing.

“We looked for a distinctive location where art and opera could touch people’s hearts–a location where we could grow as a community in Luciano’s honor. a location where we may even collaborate on opera’s future.”

In order to achieve this, the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation Academy at the site will provide acting, voice, and diction coaching to aspiring singers, with a specific focus on those from “underprivileged backgrounds.” The facility would host public concerts featuring those singers.

Other Collier County arts groups, such as Opera Naples and members of United Arts Collier, would also be permitted to use the building.

Inspiration for Theater in the Garden: Grange Park Opera in England

Ferrari, a board member and co-founder of Opera Naples, came up with the idea for the Theater in the Garden project. Ramón Tebar, the music director of Opera Naples; Iliana Lopez, the co-artistic director of Gulfshore Ballet; and Teresa Heitmann, the mayor of Naples, make up the advisory team for the project.

The rich grounds and surroundings of Grange Park Opera in Surrey, England, served as inspiration for the architecture of the projected $25–$30 million facility. In fact, two members of the Grange Park Opera creative team are involved in the Naples project: Raf Orlowski, an acoustician and author, and Tim Ronalds Architects, a British firm (“Acoustics in Architectural Design”).

According to Ferrari, the organizers are considering a 17-acre plot of land on Bayshore Road in Naples, but they are also open to other options.

More about the Theater in the Garden proposal for Naples

The multipurpose building would house:

1. A modern, 900-seat theater that hosts both local and touring performers in a variety of genres, such as jazz, ballet, opera, and classical. 2. A Florida-style garden that surrounds it and is intended to provide guests with a “peaceful escape”;an amphitheater outside;3. The Academy of the Luciano Pavarotti Foundation;a museum dedicated to Luciano Pavarotti, with souvenirs, images, posters, and the stage costumes he donned for performances at some of the greatest opera houses in the world;4. Additionally, Luciano’s Restaurant will provide cuisine derived on the recipes of Luciano Pavarotti.

With 900 seats, the theater would rank as Collier County’s second-biggest venue. Hayes Hall at Artis-Naples holds 1,477 people.

Collier clearly needs more event space, according to Heitmann. A lot of places, like Artis-Naples and Gulfshore Playhouse, sell out fast.

“If we’re already selling out with these venues, then there’s room for more variety,” stated Heitmann. “I think it’ll be a benefit to the city, and I think that it will be a benefit to the county.”

Heitmann expresses her excitement about seeing performances at Theater in the Garden. She already enjoys opera, and it seems that a lot of other people do as well. From all the calls she’s gotten since the initiative was revealed, she has learned that.

“It’s bringing a spark to people that I didn’t even know enjoyed the opera,” she stated. “And we must introduce opera to the next generation. Opera is a storytelling form, and I believe it to be very significant.”

The dream of Luciano Pavarotti will soon arrive in Naples

Although Nicoletta Pavarotti just made her first trip to Naples last week, she already has many trips scheduled back to the city for events. She expressed her excitement about erecting a new cultural complex in her late husband’s honor, particularly one that will promote opera through free performances in its amphitheater and outdoor space.

“I was told that in Naples, there was the need for a real opera theater,” Pavarotti said. “And it’s incredibly important to me to do it with Luciano. Since Luciano wanted opera to be accessible to all.”

“Luciano would have been extremely happy if this grand dream had come true. Or would be, as we believe he is sort of still here with us.”

The article originally appeared on Naples Daily News.

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